The Amalfi Coast's cliffside palazzos and converted convents are among Italy's most extraordinary hotels. Here's how to navigate the choices from Positano to Ravello.
The Amalfi Coast: Italy's Most Dramatic Hotel Landscape
The SS163 Amalfitana is one of the most famous — and most terrifying — roads in Europe. Carved into vertical limestone cliffs above the turquoise Tyrrhenian Sea, it connects a string of villages each of which would, alone, be considered extraordinary.
Positano: The Postcard Village
Positano is the Instagram face of the Amalfi Coast. The village cascades down a cliff face in a tumble of pink, white, and terracotta, ending at a shingle beach.
Best hotel: Il San Pietro di Positano — private glass elevator descends 50 metres to a cliffside pool and private beach. Only 24 rooms.
Ravello: The Artistic Summit
Ravello sits 350 metres above sea level, with views that stretch to Capri on a clear day. Richard Wagner composed here; Gore Vidal lived here. The atmosphere is distinctly more literary and serene than Positano.
Best hotel: Belmond Hotel Caruso — a converted 11th-century palazzo with an infinity pool perched above the valley.
Praiano & Conca dei Marini: The Hidden Options
For those who want the Amalfi experience without the Positano crowds, Praiano offers quieter luxury at the Casa Angelina, with views almost as dramatic at a fraction of the price.
Getting There
Fly into Naples (NAP) and take the coastal road — or, better, arrive by ferry from Naples, Sorrento, or Capri. The boat arrival into Positano is unforgettable.
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